Mineral ore flotation aid

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of improving the separation of mineral values from their associated gangue. The method itself involves the addition of an effective amount of a treatment reagent to the froth flotation process which enhances the ore recovery. The treatment reagents of the method of the present invention comprise water-soluble organophosphonates which when added to the flotation feed slurry enhance the recovery of ore values thertefrom. The organophosphonate treatment reagent may be used alone or in combination with a polymeric dispersant.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for separating mineral ore from gangue via froth flotation including the steps of forming an aqueous mixture of mineral component and gangue, adding thereto an effective amount of a treatment reagent comprising an organophosphonate and a polymeric dispersant comprises a co-polymer the formula:                    
       wherein R 1  is H or lower alkyl (C 1 -C 3 ): R 2  is OH or OM, or NH 2 ; M is a water-soluble cation, R 3  is a hydroxy substituted alkyl or alkaline radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a nonsubstituted alkyl or alkylene radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; X, when present, is an anionic radical selection from the group consisting of SO 3 , PO 3 , PO 4 , and COO, Z when present, is H or hydrogens or any water soluble cation or cations which together counterbalances the valence of the anionic radicals, a is 0 or 1, and x:y ranges from about 30:1 to 1:20 in a concentration of from about 0.1 to 100 parts per million said aqueous mixture and subjecting the aqueous mixture to a settling and/or decanting separating processes. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said organophosphonate is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, diethylenetriamine penta-(methylene phosphonic acid), aminotri(methyphosphonic acid), hexamethylenediaminetetra(methyphosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, hydroxpropyldiphosphonic acid or blends thereof. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein said concentration of said organophosphonate is from about 1 to 10 parts per million. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said mineral ore is iron ore. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein said polymeric dispersant comprises a co-polymer having the formula:                    
       wherein M is a water-soluble cation and x:y ranges from about 30:1 to 1:20. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the ration of organic phosphonate to polymeric dispersant ranges from about 20 to about 1 to 1 to 5. 
     
     
       7. A method of separating the mineral ore from gangue via froth flotation including the steps of forming and aqueous mixture of mineral component and gangue, adding thereto an effective amount of a treatment reagent comprising an organic phosphonate selected from a group consisting of hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, diethylenetriamine penta-(methylene phosphonic acid), aminotri(methyphosphonic acid), hexamethylenediaminetetra(methyphosphonic acid), ethyleneeiaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, hydroxpropyldiphosphonic acid or blends thereof and polymeric dispersant in a ratio of from about 20 to 1 to about 1 to 5. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  wherein said polymeric dispersant comprises a polymer of the formula:                    
       wherein R 1  is H or lower alkyl (C 1 -C 3 ): R 2  is OH or OM, or NH 2 ; M is a water-soluble cation, R 3  is a hydroxy substituted alkyl or alkaline radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a nonsubstituted alkyl or alkylene radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; X, when present, is an anionic radical selection from the group consisting of SO 3 , PO 3 , PO 4 , and COO, Z when present, is H or hydrogens or any water soluble cation or cations which together counterbalances the valence of the anionic radicals, a is 0 or 1 and x:y ranges from about 30:1 to 1:20.  
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7  wherein said polymeric dispersant comprises a polymer of the formula:                    
       wherein M is a water-soluble cation and x:y ranges from about 30:1 to 1:20. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7  wherein said treatment reagent is added to said aqueous mixture in a concentration from about 0.1 to 100 parts per million. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7  wherein said treatment reagent is added to said aqueous mixture in a concentration from about 1 to 10 parts per million. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7  wherein said ore is iron ore.